Traditionally, if a woman over 40 is having a hysterectomy she is advised to have her ovaries taken out to reduce the risk of developing ovarian cancer. While this is very good advice if you are at high risk of developing ovarian cancer, it’s not necessarily the best advice for other women.
Risks of removing your ovaries
Recent research has shown that women who have their ovaries removed have a much higher risk of developing heart disease.
Two groups of women (one group had their ovaries removed and the others kept theirs) were studied and the results showed that the women who had their ovaries removed:
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- had a higher chance of dying (12% increase)
- had a higher risk of developing heart disease (17% increase)
- had a higher chance of developing lung cancer (26% increase)
However, they did not develop ovarian cancer and were less likely to get breast cancer.
In the US about 14,700 women die from ovarian cancer each year. While this is a painful experience for the woman and her family, this is much less than over 400,000 deaths in women from from heart disease and stroke combined.
Other studies have shown an increase in osteoporosis and dementia women who had their ovaries taken out.
Every little helps
After menopause, your ovaries stop producing progesterone, but they keep producing testosterone and small amounts of estrogen. The testosterone is changed into estrogen outside the ovaries e.g the fat cells. This helps to protect against diseases like heart disease, osteoporosis and dementia.
What does this mean for you?
Ovarian cancer is a horrible disease which is very difficult to catch early and to cure. But quite frankly, there are other diseases that are more likely to kill you. If you have a low risk for developing ovarian cancer and breast cancer, there’s really no good reason for removing your ovaries. If you’re having a hysterectomy for a problem that’s not cancer-related, discuss the benefits and risks with your doctor. Consider your own personal risk factors and circumstances to help you make an informed decision.
i am 45, i have no kids am relatively healthy, excercise regularly, eat nutriciously, try not to stress, drink to be happy occassionaly & have recently found out that i’m a carrier of the mutant gene BRCA1, i have requested an operation on the 11th of March to have my ovaries removed, but i am so scared & so angry & worried about how i will be after the opperation.
I want to cancel & wait anouther 5 years but i dont want to risk developing cancer & dying. My older sister Pauline didnt know she was a gene carrier & died of Ovarian cancer 2 years ago after a 4 year battle.
What if i have them out & there clean i will be so cross.
I have heard all the stories from other BRCA1 people who have had both there ovaries & both breasts removed & they say there fine, but i dont believe them.
i am very much alone, single, i hate my other sister who doesnt carry the gene but should because shes fat & unhealthy & has never looked after herself. my brother has it too & he has kids so his children may have it. I just feel shit. Time is getting closer to March 11th & i just want to cancel, but then i dont.
I too am 48 yrs old. I have had breast cancer. I am on Tamoxifen.
I have been on Tamoxifen for 2 years now. I find that I too have
painful breasts, they feel like they have a fever in them. I am going
to the doctor Monday. I could have an infection in my breasts. My
doctor says that my body maybe reacting to having too much estrogen
surpressant in my system. If this is the case they would have to stop
the Tamoxifen and monitor me for any future cancer. I would go to the
doctor to get checked. It couldn’t hurt. Let me know how you make out.
Good Luck and God speed.